answer 1 of 2

Definition of answernext
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2
as in result
something attained by mental effort and especially by computation the answers to the odd-numbered problems are at the back of the book

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in reaction
action or behavior that is done in return to other action or behavior a cold stare was her withering answer to that gratuitous insult

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

answer

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verb

1
as in to respond
to speak or write in reaction to a question or to another reaction didn't answer right away when the detective asked him where he'd been for the last three hours

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun answer differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of answer are rejoinder, reply, response, and retort. While all these words mean "something spoken, written, or done in return," answer implies the satisfying of a question, demand, call, or need.

had answers to all their questions

Where would rejoinder be a reasonable alternative to answer?

The synonyms rejoinder and answer are sometimes interchangeable, but rejoinder can be a response to a reply or to an objection.

a salesman with a quick rejoinder to every argument

When would reply be a good substitute for answer?

The meanings of reply and answer largely overlap; however, reply often suggests a thorough response to all issues, points, or questions raised.

a point-by-point reply to the accusation

When might response be a better fit than answer?

In some situations, the words response and answer are roughly equivalent. However, response may imply a quick or spontaneous reaction to a person or thing that serves as a stimulus.

a response to the call for recruits

In what contexts can retort take the place of answer?

While the synonyms retort and answer are close in meaning, retort implies a reaction to an implicit or explicit charge, criticism, or attack which contains a countercharge or counterattack.

she made a cutting retort to her critics

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of answer
Noun
That motion sought to obtain both an unredacted copy of the complaint and an unredacted answer filed by attorneys representing the Kansas City police board. Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026 For more complex spatial shapes, finding an answer is not so easy. Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 13 June 2026
Verb
Still, even though the DD-214 question has been answered, questions linger. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026 Someone answering the phone at Skydive Kansas City declined to speak to a reporter from The Associated Press. ABC News, 14 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for answer
Recent Examples of Synonyms for answer
Noun
  • On June 8, a federal judge invalidated the White House's $100,000 fee policy in response to a lawsuit brought by 20 states.
    Shanelle Kaul, CBS News, 14 June 2026
  • Roupp was then asked for his response to members of the LGBTQ+ community who might take offense at his messaging.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Noun
  • In Geneva, Switzerland’s second-largest city and a hub of United Nations institutions and humanitarian groups, early results showed about two-thirds of voters in the region opposed the measure.
    Jamey Keaten, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
  • Sunday’s result will only increase that confidence.
    Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • Previous studies relied largely on theory and indirect measurements because the reactions happened too quickly for conventional tools to detect.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
  • Then, if somebody living in a hotel commits a crime, that kicks off big disturbances and reactions, and so on.
    Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • In January 2025, Baldoni responded by filing a $400 million lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, and others, alleging defamation, extortion, and related claims.
    Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
  • Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic didn’t respond well following his most recent rehab start this week.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • The nebula’s colors appear vivid because of a filter in the spectrograph that allows specific wavelengths of light to pass through, corresponding to specific types of gas.
    Avni Trivedi, CNN Money, 8 June 2026
  • Each box needs to correspond to a different title – no counting one book in multiple boxes!
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • Lizete González, a Mexico fan, said the city has a long way to go to fulfill its promises.
    Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
  • The standard must be whether outcomes justified the investment, promises were fulfilled, and measurable results were achieved.
    Michele Steeb, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Addressing reporters for the first time since The Associated Press projected a November runoff between her and Mayor Karen Bass, Raman said residents are losing faith in the city’s ability to solve even basic problems and are demanding a different approach.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 June 2026
  • Ferveret, a startup from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is using cooling technology deployed in nuclear reactors to solve challenges faced by data centers today.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • Leonora’s reply is swift and decisive.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
  • Safari can monitor webpages and notify users when information changes, while Messages and Mail gain smarter contextual reply suggestions.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Answer.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/answer. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.

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